Grilled Watermelon with Chile and Lime will be the hit of your summer BBQ! Sweet, subtly spicy and super refreshing, it's the perfect side dish to all sorts of grilled foods.

white platter with grilled watermelon and lime

Add the tangy flavor of a lime, and the spicy flavor of a hot chile to sweet, juicy watermelon and see what happens.

While most summer fruits don't need a thing -- including watermelon -- it can be fun to change things up a bit.

This grilled watermelon recipe is so interesting and delicious!

yellow and red mini watermelons cut in half

How to Grill Watermelon

- Preheat the grill and drizzle thick slices of watermelon with a neutral oil.

- Once the grill is very hot, add the watermelon slices with a couple of inches between them. If you don't hear a sizzling sound when the fruit hits the grill, it's not hot enough. Wait for the sizzle or you won't get the nice grill marks that we're after.

- Grill just long enough to mark the watermelon, then flip the slices and grill for about 30 seconds.

- The goal is to mark the watermelon, adding the smoky flavor of the grill with a bit of crispness that comes along with it.

slices of red and yellow watermelon on a cutting board

I think this Grilled Watermelon with Chile and Lime is an incredible combination of refreshing deliciousness.

And it's so pretty!

Just imagine a full platter on the center of the table.

Cooking watermelon on the grill, and adding the char flavor makes this already cooling snack, all the more perfect for a hot summer day.

slices or yellow and red watermelon on baking sheet

What to Serve with Grilled Watermelon?

So many things! Burgers, grilled chicken, salads, cocktails, and more!

I love serving this watermelon recipe at casual barbecues, alongside my Coffee-Balsamic Grilled Flank Steak and Fried Meyer Lemon Caesar Salad. Everyone loves this combination of dishes.

grilled watermelon slices on baking sheet

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

This recipe calls for 1 (6½ pound) mini watermelon. When I see yellow mini watermelons, I like to use them along with the red ones. You can use either or both.
Large seedless watermelons are also okay to use. You can double or triple the chile-lime marinade if you grill more slices (weight) than the recipe calls for.
You can serve the grilled watermelon slices at room temperature, though I prefer to chill them a bit in the refrigerator.
Be sure to only grill the slices long enough to mark them, we're not actually cooking the melon.
And hey, if you don't want to grill at all -- you might just love the fresh watermelon with lime juice and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. It's a different vibe, but still quite delicious.

long white platter with red and yellow sliced, grilled watermelon

I hope you love this summer recipe as much as I do!

How Far Ahead Can You Make it?

The watermelon slices can be grilled and refrigerated up to two hours ahead of time.

More summer watermelon recipes:

Enjoy!

Grilled Watermelon with Chile and Lime

Valentina K. Wein

Grilled Watermelon with Chile and Lime will be the hit of your summer BBQ! Sweet, subtly spicy and super refreshing, it's the perfect side dish to all sorts of grilled foods.

5 from 5 votes

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 5

Total Time 15

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 174 kcal

Ingredients

1 approximately 6½ pound mini seedless watermelon,
¼ cup grapeseed oil
2 teaspoons chili paste
1 tablespoon lime zest (from approximately 1 lime)
3 tablespoons lime juice (from approximately 1 lime)
pinch of salt

Instructions

Cut the watermelon. Slice the watermelon quarters lengthwise and place the slices in a single layer on a sheet pan (or two if necessary).
Make the Chile-Lime marinade. In a small bowl, combine the oil, chile paste, lime zest and juice, and a pinch of salt. Whisk to blend.
Preheat the grill. Preheat a stove-top or outdoor grill with high heat.
Coat the watermelon slices. Drizzle about half of the chile-lime mixture over the watermelon slices and use your hands to spread it evenly. Then flip them over and drizzle the rest. To be sure they're well coated, you might need to flip them a few times and move them around the sheet pan.
Grill. Once the grill is very hot, add the watermelon slices, being sure there is at least an inch or so between them. (If you don't hear a sizzling sound when the fruit hits the grill, it's not hot enough. Wait for the sizzle!) Grill just long enough to mark the watermelon, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip them over, and only grill the other side for about 30 seconds. (We want the watermelon to keep it's crunch.)
Serve. Serve at room temperature or cold.

NOTES

Calorie count is only an estimate.

NUTRITION

Calories: 174kcal

Keywords good for summer bbq, fruits to grill, summer watermelon recipes

Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

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Comments

2pots2cook

July 04, 2020 at 2:51 am

Wow! Never seen grilled watermelon! My son will be so exited!!! Thank you so much for this brilliant idea 🙂

- valentina
  
  July 04, 2020 at 7:29 pm
  
  Thank you, Davorka. Hope your son (and you!) love it. Happy weekend. 🙂 ~Valentina
  
Eha

July 06, 2021 at 8:17 pm

What fun !! Mist remember when the winter gales have departed . . . love watermelon but normally just cut and eat over the kitchen basin . . . ! Like the combination of chilli and lime . . . must try: easy just using my stove=top grilling pan . . .

- valentina
  
  July 07, 2021 at 1:29 pm
  
  Hi Eha, I have a stove-top grill too, and I use it all the time. Enjoy and thank you! 🙂 ~Valentina
  
John / Kitchen Riffs

July 07, 2021 at 8:10 am

I like to grill fruit, but never grill watermelon. Gotta change that! This looks so good -- nice flavors. Thanks!

- valentina
  
  July 07, 2021 at 1:28 pm
  
  Enjoy! Thank you, John. 🙂 ~Valentina
  
Dawn - Girl Heart Food

July 08, 2021 at 10:22 am

What a fun way to enjoy watermelon! I love the savoury spin and especially love those gorgeous grill marks! I could devour this all summer long!!

- valentina
  
  July 09, 2021 at 8:49 am
  
  I do love a savory spin on a slight sweet ingredient. 🙂 Thank you, Dawn. ~Valentina
  
Ben | Havocinthekitchen

July 08, 2021 at 4:53 pm

I am a HUGE watermelon fan (can literally live on watermelons for days and even weeks!), but I've never grilled it. I must admit this looks and sounds wonderful; such beautiful grilled marks! Also, loving the addition of chili and lime.

- valentina
  
  July 09, 2021 at 8:49 am
  
  Hi there, and thank you. Hope you enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
  
Marissa

July 09, 2021 at 10:11 am

I've had grilled fruits (peaches and pineapple), but never watermelon. I love the idea! I'm sure it intensifies the already delicious flavor and the spicy, tangy marinade would make it even better!

- valentina
  
  July 09, 2021 at 4:22 pm
  
  Thanks, Marissa. Hope you love it! 🙂 ~Valentina
  
David

July 09, 2021 at 11:47 am

This is very cool. Valentina! Rumor has it that watermelons will start this weekend at our market, very excited!

- valentina
  
  July 09, 2021 at 4:21 pm
  
  That's great news, David. Perfect for the AZ heat. 🙂 ~Valentina
  
Karen (Back Road Journal)

July 12, 2021 at 6:13 am

I'm now going to be on the lookout for yellow mini watermelons as I love the color combination and flavors of your recipe.

- valentina
  
  July 13, 2021 at 2:00 pm
  
  I hope you find them, Karen. Thanks for visiting. 🙂 ~Valentina
  
Kim Lange

July 12, 2021 at 8:48 am

Such a beautiful presentation, plus it sounds so perfect for grilling with a kick to the watermelon! Pinning!

- valentina
  
  July 13, 2021 at 2:00 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Kim! Enjoy. 🙂 ~Valentina
  
Mimi Rippee

July 02, 2023 at 5:59 pm

These are so pretty! Love that feature photo. Great recipe.